We are proud to announce that Danette Porto (left) and Danielle Salasavage are the first recipients of the 2026 Donna Distinta Award.
The prestigious Donna Distinta Award, presented by the Conference of Presidents of Major Italian American Organizations (COPOMIAO) and Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA), celebrates outstanding women of Italian descent.
In the Italian American community of Western New York, tradition is not simply remembered, it is lived, shared, and passed lovingly from one generation to the next. Few families embody that spirit more beautifully than Danette Porto and her granddaughter Danielle Salasavage, whose commitment to heritage, community, and service has helped strengthen Italian American organizations both locally and nationally.
Danette’s journey of service began in 1962 when she joined the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America (ISDA). Over the decades, she became a respected and beloved leader within the organization and the wider Italian American community. For more than 16 years, Danette served as WNY District Vice President, dedicating countless hours to advancing the mission of ISDA and supporting lodges throughout the district. Her leadership extended nationally as well, serving as a National Councilor and as a member of the ISDA Financial Life Board of Directors.
Danette’s devotion to community extends far beyond titles. She has long been a cornerstone of the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival, an event deeply tied to her family’s history. The festival was co-founded in 1975 by her late husband, Ed Porto, and Danette has continued to honor his legacy through her ongoing volunteerism and dedication to the event. Her passion for preserving Italian culture and bringing the community together remains as strong today as it was when the festival first began all those years ago on Connecticut Street in Buffalo, N.Y.
See past Donna Distinta winners here.
Her commitment to heritage and service is reflected in the many organizations she continues to support. Danette serves on the boards of both the Association of Italian American Women and the Federation of Italian American Societies of Western New York, working to promote Italian culture, heritage, and unity within the community. Known for her warmth, generosity, and pride in her roots, Danette has always believed that the strength of the Italian American community lies in family, tradition, and giving back.
For Danette, preserving Italian culture has always been a family affair. She raised her family with a strong appreciation for Italian traditions from family dinners and gatherings to participation in community events and cultural celebrations. She believed that heritage was something meant to be lived every day, not just remembered on special occasions. Through her decades of involvement in organizations, festivals, and cultural initiatives, Danette helped ensure that future generations would continue to celebrate their Italian roots with pride.
It is perhaps no surprise, then, that Danette’s passion for heritage and service inspired the next generation. Her granddaughter, Danielle Salasavage, has proudly followed in her footsteps carrying forward the family’s legacy while making history of her own.
In 2008, when Danette stepped down after years of service as WNY District National Vice President, Danielle assumed the role, becoming the youngest District National Vice President in ISDA history. Like her grandmother, Danielle has also served on the ISDA Financial Life Board of Directors, continuing the family tradition of leadership within the organization.
In 2025, Danielle achieved another historic milestone when she was nominated and elected National Vice President for the Order Italian Sons and Daughters of America, becoming one of the first two women to hold a national office within the organization. Her election represents not only a personal achievement but also a meaningful step forward for women’s leadership within Italian American fraternal organizations nationwide.
Beyond ISDA, Danielle is deeply involved in numerous Italian American organizations and cultural initiatives throughout Western New York. She serves on the board of directors for the Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival, helping to steward the very event her grandfather founded, and her grandmother helped nurture for decades. She is also President of ISDA Volare Lodge #269, Vice President of the Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo, Assistant Treasurer for the Federation of Italian American Societies of Western New York and a member of the Association of Italian American Women. Danielle works alongside many community leaders including her grandmother to celebrate and uplift Italian heritage and culture.
Her commitment to cultural preservation is especially evident in her leadership roles within the region’s Italian Heritage Month celebrations. Danielle serves as Chairwoman of the Italian Heritage Parade and Co-Chair of the Italian Heritage Month Flag Raising and Opening Ceremony, helping to organize and promote events that celebrate the history, contributions, and traditions of Italian Americans.
On a national level in addition to her roles within the ISDA, Danielle also serves as an Ambassador for We the Italians, connecting with organizations, leaders, and advocates across the country who share a passion for celebrating Italian culture and promoting the positive impact of Italian Americans in society.
What makes Danielle’s work particularly meaningful is her commitment to ensuring that younger generations become involved in preserving Italian American culture. Having grown up attending festivals, parades, lodge meetings, and cultural events, Danielle developed a deep appreciation for the importance of community engagement at an early age. Those early experiences created lifelong friendships and connections that continue to shape her work today.
The Galbani Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival marked its milestone 50th anniversary in 2025. What began as a small neighborhood gathering decades ago in Western New York has grown into one of the largest celebrations of Italian American culture in the country, drawing tens of thousands of attendees in late July. This feast has flourished thanks to the leadership of the Porto and Salasavage families.
Through conferences, national meetings, and cultural initiatives, Danielle has helped build relationships with Italian American organizations and leaders across the country. Her efforts have strengthened collaboration between groups both locally and nationally, reinforcing a shared commitment to celebrating heritage and preserving traditions.
Both Danette and Danielle share a belief that Italian American organizations are about much more than meetings and events, they are about building relationships, preserving history, and creating a sense of belonging for future generations.
Their story is one of legacy, mentorship, and love for community. Growing up, Danielle witnessed firsthand her grandmother’s unwavering dedication to family, faith, and service. The lessons Danette instilled, pride in heritage, commitment to community, and the importance of honoring those who came before, continue to guide Danielle’s work today.
Together, Danette Porto and Danielle Salasavage represent more than two generations of leadership, they represent the enduring power of family and the importance of passing cultural traditions forward.
Their shared story serves as a powerful reminder that the strength of the Italian American community lies in the dedication of families who commit themselves to preserving traditions, celebrating culture, and ensuring that the spirit of their ancestors continues to thrive.
From grandmother to granddaughter, the legacy continues guided by the values that have long defined the Italian American experience: family, faith, tradition, and community.
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